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Verse Takeaways
1
Judgment is Imminent
Commentators explain that the image of an "axe laid at the root" signifies that God's judgment is not a distant threat but an immediate reality, ready to act. This isn't a call for minor corrections (pruning branches) but for the complete removal of what is worthless. The judgment is final, leading to destruction ("cast into the fire").
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Book Overview
Matthew
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Commentaries
12
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 3:10
18th Century
Theologian
The axe is laid unto the root of the trees. Laying the axe at the root of a tree is intended to denote that the tree is to be cut down. It…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 3:10
Is the axe laid (η αξινη κειτα). This verb κειτα is used as the perfect passive of τιθημ. But the idea really is, "the axe lies at…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 3:9–10
19th Century
Preacher
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up childre…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 3:10
The ax is “already” at the root of the trees (for the idiom, cf. Isaiah 10:33–34; Jeremiah 46:22). Just as the kingdom is da…
John Calvin
On Matthew 3:10
16th Century
Theologian
Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9. And now also the axe. After stripping hypocrites of the covering of vain confidence,…
John Gill
On Matthew 3:10
17th Century
Pastor
And now also the axe is laid
These words may be rendered, "for now also", and contain in them a reason why they migh…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 3:7–12
17th Century
Minister
Applying the message to the souls of the hearers is the life of preaching; and so it was with John's preaching. The Pharisees placed their main emp…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 3:1–12
13th Century
Philosopher
The Evangelist wrote about Christ’s entrance into the world; now, however, he writes about the course of His life, which is, in fact, considered ac…